Tracker for automatic musical instruments.



M. A l /vjzff: n. HoeB-Jm-mt;73+.l COP. TRACKER FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1911.

Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

HOPE-MNBS TRACKER 'EUR AUTOMATIC MUSIUAL INSTRUMENTS.

Eatented Aug. 19, 1913.

EHICIUEEEIDECIE APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1911.

R.l HOPE-JONES. TRACKER FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7, 1911.

Pate'n'ted Aug. 19, 1913.

SSHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT HOPE-JONES, OF NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE RUDOLPH WURLITZER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TRACKER FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19,1913.

Application led September 7, 1911. Serial No. 648,145.'

To all whom t may conce/m.'

Be it, known that I, ROBERT HOPE-J ONES, a subject of the King of England,-residing at North Tonawanda, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trackers for Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specication..

In orchestrions, organs and other musical instruments in which the so-called stops and expression devices as well as the sound producing parts are controlled by a perforate music sheet, a comparatively large number of additional perforations and tracker ducts are required according to the number of stops embraced by the instrument. Itis well known that a single music sheet wide enough to accommodate the requisite large number of perforat-ions is i m practicable, owing to its correspondingly 1ncreased liability to warp, expand or shrink under atmospheric changes. To overcome this diiiiculty it has been proposed to employ a plurality of narrow music sheets driven to travel synchronously, but this construction has also proved unsatisfactory,

largely on account of the high degree of accuracy in the construction of the driving mechanism required in order to secure an absolutely synchronous movement of the several music sheets.

It is the object of my invention to so construct the tracker and its coperating mechanism that several ,movements may be Aobtained from a single transverse space ofthe tracker, thus multiplying its capacity without correspondingly increasing its length and permitting theuse of a single comparatively narrow music sheet which is no more liable to ,shrink or warp than ordinary sheets. i

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 3 sheets: Figure l is -a transverse section of theimproved tracker combined with a diagrammatic view of the apparatus cooperating therewith. Fig. 2 is Aan enlarged vertical section of one of the relays or electro-.pneumatica Fig. 3 is asimilar section of one of the electro-pneumatic stop-controlling devices. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the -music sheet. Fig. 5 isa face vi'ew of the tracker. Figs; 6, 7, V8, and vl() are fragmentary plan views 'of thev music sheet and tracker, showing diiferent perforations of the sheet in operative relation to the corresponding ducts of the tracker. Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing a modiiied construction of the apparatus. Fig. l2 is a fragmentary plan view of the music sheet and tracker of said modification. r

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several vlews.

A indicates the tracker or trackerboard having the customary single or ordinary ducts a, for controlling the sound-producing parts, these ducts forming no part of-I the present invention. In addition to such ordinary ducts, the tracker is provided 'with' one or more -transverse rows of ducts 5 b1, b2, b3, b* for automatically operating or controlling the stops, expression devices, coin-controlled devices or otherparts of a musical instrument or other apparatus. Each ofsuch transverse rows or spaces may comprise two or more ducts arranged in alinement with each other, so as to be successively passed over by correspondingly alined perforations or slots c, c1, c2, 03,04 of the music sheet C. T hese ducts have substantially the same extent or area crosswise of the tracker, as shown. In. theconstruction shown in Figs. 1-1O of the drawings, there are five ducts in each transverse row but a greater or less number mayI be employed, if desired. These ducts are.

Aconnected by independent tubes or conduitsv d with relays or pneumatics D-D4. Those shown in the drawings by way of example are electro-pneumatic or pneumato-electric and each comprises a box orchest divided by a flexible diaphragm c of leather or other suitable material, into an upper suction chambere1 and a lower air or atmospheric chamber c2. The upper chamber is permanently connected by a passage e3 with a suctio-n bellows or other suitable exhaust 'device,not shown in the drawings, while the lower chamber is connected with the corresponding tracker duct by the tube d and also with the upper chamber c1 by a bleed or small passage et. Applied to the .upper side of this diaphragm is a thin metallic spring' or switch .member f which lhas a tendency to -move ,downward into Contact with a contact-piu or screw ff extending up;

.Fie l.

e2., the diaphragm being perforated under the spring to permit such contact. Extending into the suction chamber el opposite the contact-screw fl is a similar contact pin or screw f2 with which the spring is adapted to Contact when the diaphragm is raised to the position shown by dotted lines in So long as the tracker ducts -b4 are covered by the inusic sheet, the spring' j' will press the diaphragm downward and bear against the lower contact-screw f1. As soon, however, as a duct is uncovered, atmospheric air will pass through it and the cor espoiiding tube d, enter the lower' chainber e2 and raise the diapl'iragin, pressing the spring" upward into contact with the upper contact-screw f2.

The electro-pneuinatics or relays D--D4 govern a corresponding number oit control-j' 1ers or controlling mechanisms G' G4 which in turn cause or control the operation ofl tops, expression devices or other de-v organ e t sii-ed parts or mechanisms, not shown in the y.

drawi. gs. 'lhe controlling devices shown in the dimwings are ot the electro-pneumatic type, and as shown in Fig. 3, each comprises a chest or case containing,` a pressure chainber g which is connected by a passage g1 with a bellows or othersource ot' air pressui-anali shown in the drawings.

a indicates the pressure outlet or conduit or the chamber g which leads from a Valve chamber; 7L connected with said chamber by a port h1 controlled by a valve h2 the latter` also controllingan exhaust port ha 'hit chainbe" f..

with tlic stem of said Valve. This pneumatic is carried by a iixed block f7# containing; an exhaust passage /t5 which connects the ing anv exhaustport 71,7 leading to the outer atmosphere. 'lhis port L7 is normally closed by zi. valve z' consisting of or carried by the arlnature of an electro-magnet l arranged in the block r. rl`lie valve chamber Mis connected with the pressure chamber 57 by a port l which is closed by the valve' when the magnet l is energized.

.ln the norinal condition of the controlling device just described, the exhaust port 7i? is closed by 'the valve i and the pressure port fr" "this Valve is in turn controlled by a pneumatic 7b3 arranged within. the chamber` g and having its movable board connected pne' iinatic with a valve chamber 71, havin the chamber g, opening the pressure-supply valve a and admittingpressure to the conduit g2 and the part or mechanism to be actuated. rthis mechanism which is not shown in the drawings, may consist of a pair of alternatelyoperating motor pneumatics connected with the slide of anV organ stop in such inanner that one motor pneumatic shifts the slide in one direction or on and the other shifts it in the opposite direction or oil" Referring to Fig. 1, K indicates a battery or other electric generator, 7c. a conductor or lead from its negative pole and t'l the lead from the positive pole, which latter is connected with the contact-spring f of the last relay E* of the series. 'lhe upper contactscrew f2 of the iirst relay D is connected with the negative lead r: by a conductor l which includes the electro-magnet l of the corresponding controller G". The lower contact-screws f1 of the four relays D, D1, D2

and D3 are connected with said negative lead l by conductors or branches 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, which include the electro-inagnets l of the corresponding controllers G3, G2, G1 and G. A wire G connects the spring j of the first relay D with the upper contactscrew 7" of the second relay D1; a Wire 7 connects the spring lof the second relay D1 with the upper contact-screw of the third rclay B2, and a wire 8 likewise connectstlie spring ot" the third relay with the upper contact-screw of the fourth relay D3.

9 and l0 indicate a pair of switch contacts vcarried by a support ll and adapted to be connected by a suitable switch 12 in the normal condition ot' the apparatus. The contact 9 is connected by a wire 13 with the contact-spring f of the fourth relay D3; while the other switch contact 10 is, connected by a wire le with the upper contact-- screw f of the last relay Dt. 'llhe lower contact-screw f1 of the last-mentioned relay is connected with the negative pole of the bat-` tery l by a wire 15 containing a circuitclosing electro-magnet 16 arranged to move the switch l2 into the closed posit-ion shown in the drawings. So long as the spring f of.

the last relay DA1 remains in its depressed position, the circuit which includes the magnet 16 is closed through the battery K, wire 15, lower lcontact-screw f1 of Asaid relay, its spring,1 f and the wire zl, energizing;` said magnet and holding the switch l2 in its closed position.

As hereinafter more fully described, it is necessary to break the inain circuit atter operating` an organ-stop or other picco of mechanism to avoid premature or other improper liro actuation otl other stops or mechanisms controlled by the saine transverse series of tracker ducts. For this purpose, a switchopening electro-magnet 17 is employed which is adapted to withdraw the switch 12 s from the switch-contacts 9 and 10, so as to disconnect them. This closing magnet is included in a supplemental circuit comprising parallel conductors 1S and 19, respectively connected with the poles of the battery K. Connected with the pressure outlet g2 of each controller Gr-Gr4 is a switch pneumatic L which is normally collapsed by a spring Z and'iniated by the air pressure when the corresponding valve 7a2 is opened. The movable boardv of each pneumatic L carries a switch or switch plate Z1 which in the in- Hated condition of the pneumatic contacts with and connects a pair of switch-contacts or terminals 20 and 21 connected with the conductors 18 and 19. Normally, the circuit of the switch-opening magnet 17 is broken, but whenever one of the switch-pneumatics L is inflated, said circuit is closed, energizing said magnet and causing it to open the switch 12.

The perforations C-Cl of the music sheet are ofdifferent lengths so as to register with one or more of the transverse tracker ducts of each row, each size or length controlling one of the several controllers G-G The perforation c is adapted to cooperate with the last or' fifth tracker duct o* and is just large enough to register with that duct only, as shown in Fig. G; the next per- .foration or slot c1 is adapted to coperate The operation of the apparatus is as follows: It maybe generally stated that it is the opening of the last tracker duct b which in every case causes the cuttmg -m of the battery K or other source of motive energy; and the' selection of the organ-stop or other piece of mechanism to be operated is determined by the state ot the duct or ducts immediately preceding` the last duct, e. whether one or ymore of such preceding ducts are covered or umwovered. When one ot the smallest or single-duct perin'ation c comes into register with the last duct 01, the controller G' is actuated', when a two-ductslot f1 registers with the ducts WMU, the controller G1 is operated; when a three-duct'` slot c2 registers with the ducts Jig, o and o* the controller (l'Y is operated, and so on with 'the progressively longer slots c3 and c and the corresponding controllers (it and (it. It will'be noted that. the ctmtact-spring f of the last relay 1)'l is permamently connected with the positive pole of the battery K, and that in the normal condition of the apparatus, the magnet-circuits of the several controllers GrGr4 are broken at the upper contactscrews f2 of the several relays. It Will be further noted that even when the diaphragm of any ofthe relays, except the last one Dt, is raised, no controller-actuating circuit is established, the circuit in that case being broken at the upper contact-screw f2 of the relay next below. Following the action of one of the single-duct holes or perforations c and assuming the music sheet to travel inthe direction of the arrow, as this hole passes over the first tracker duct Z), the.dia phragm e and spring j ofthe corresponding relay Dare momentarily raised to the dotted position shown in Fig. 1, but are allowed to drop again after the hole passes on to the tracker-duct b1, leaving the controllers G-G uninfluenced. The diaphragm and contact-spring` of relay D1 are now likewise raised but fall again when the hole leaves duet b1. The same action takes place in relays D2 and Dg when the hole passes over the tracker ducts b2 and o3, but when the hole registers with the last duct b4, the resulting elevation of the spring f of the last relay D4 into contact with the corresponding screw f2 switches the battery K into circuit with the-magnet I of the controller Gr, depressing the exhaust valve t' and opening the exhaust port LT. The pneumatic it is thereby collapsed and opens the pressure valve 11,2, I

supplying motive tiuid for operating the slide of the organ stop or other part to be actuated. When the4 spring of the relay DL is thus raised', current flows from the posiraised spring f of relay D, upper contact screw f2 of the latter, wire 1-1, switch 12,

wire 13, depressed spring of relay D, lower relays by the dep1'ession-of their contact- -leaves the last tracker duct, whereupon the raised diaphragm of the relay D*t drops to its former position, breaking the magnetcircuit of theI controller G. The exhaust valve z' of said controller is now raised by the pressure 1n the chamber g and pressure 100. tive pole of the battery through Wire K1,

lis again admitted to the valve-.actuatingthe actuated part or mechanism in its shittby dotted lines in. Fig. l.

.simultaneously with the last tracker duct Y!" pneumatic t, which thereupon expands and closes the valve 71.2 and cuts oft' the further supply of pressure to the conduit g2, leaving ed position. The pressure is at the saine time cut ott from the switch-pneumatic 'L which is now kcollapse-L 'by the spring Z, opening the corresponding supplemental switch Z and breaking the circuit ot the siif'itch-opening` magnet l?. The return ot the spring of the relay D* into contact with the corresponding lower screw]11 again closes the circuit in which the battery and the closing iiriagnet 16 otl the main switch l2 are included, and said switch is therefore closed by the magnet 16 immediately atter the opening magnet li" is denergized, thus restablisliing said normally-closed circuit, preparatory to the next` operation ot the apparatus. i-tssun'iing now that a double oi' two-duct slot c1 ot the music sheet passes over the tracker, the (.liaphragms of the reA lays D, D1 and D2 will idly rise and tall, as hereinbetore described with reference to the action of a 'one-duet perforation, but as soon as said double-ductregi'istei's siiniiltaneously with the last duct tf* andthe second last duct Z13,-as shown in Fig'. 7, the diaphragms ofI both relays D" and Dt are raised and their spriiiggsinoved into Contact with the upper screws f2 thereof, as shown Current will now flow troni positive pole ot' the battery through the wii'e k1, raised contactrspring of the relay D4', upper contact screw f2 ot' the latter, wire M switch l2, wire 13, raised Contact spring ot relay-D, upper contact screw et the hitter,v wire 8, depressed contact spring ot relay D?, lower contact screw ot the latter, the magnet of controller (il and wires t and 7': to the negative pole ot the battery. The controller tit is thus operated and caused to admit 'the motive pressure to the stop or other part connected therewith. lVhcn the slot c1 leaves the last tracker duct 714. the main circuit is broken and again restablished as hercinlietore described.

v llyhen a three-duct slot c2 'passes over the tracker, all tht` controllers remain iii their inactive position until the slot registers and the two immediately preceding` ones L, tf1, as shown in Fig'. S. .Xs soon as this occurs, the diaphragi'nis ot the thrcc relays` D2, D3 andfl)4 are raised and their springs brought in contact with the upper contact screws therco't. (lui'i'cnt then flows trom the positive pole ot the battery through the reNv lay D", main switch l2', relay DE, .wire 8, raised contact spring;- of relay D2. upper contact screw ot the latter, wire T. depressed Contact spring' ott relay Dl, lowei contact.'y n fj 1. Us .ne it f i Us G" screw oi t ie a en inaac or co.i.ioA er and 'wires 3 and c back to tliebattery, as before described with reference to the two# duct slot c1, thus actuating the controller G2 and the stop or other part `gfoveri'ied thereby.

-ln like manner, controller G3 is actuated when a tour-duct slot c3. registers simultaneously with the ducts b, b1, Z22 and 54',

as shown .in Fig. 9, and the controller Gt is operated when a tive-duct slot ct registers simultaneously with all ot the lducts b-b4,`

as shown in Figi'. l0. The necessity of automatically breaking the main circuit immediately after the operation of' one of the controllers G-G4 will now be apparent. ln the absence of thatJ provision those slots or perforations of. the music sheet which are long enough to simultaneously register with vtwo or niore tracker ducts would obviously actuate one or nioi'e controllers ifi addition to the particular one intended to be operated, because a slot ot a given length would-necesshorter slots. For example, a tive-duct slot c" would not only operate the corresponding vcontroller Gt, hut by its continued travel across the tracker would act successively as a tour, three, two and single-duct perforation, and thus operate all ot the controllers and det'eat the purpose of the apparatus.

in the practical use ot the apparatus, the.

sarily v`include and repeat. the action of" music sheet is provided with two sets of such' v graduated stop controlling c--r-t. one set for throwing stops on7 and the other tor throwing them oii'.

ln the modified construction shown in liig's. li and 1Q. the main switch 12n is operated pneuniatically instead ot electrically, dispensing with the magnets 1G and 17 and the corresponding switch i,)iieuiiiatics L of the first-described apparatus. in this case,

perforations thev switch 12 is connected with a motor pneumatic lil which is controlled by an auxiliary duct fr of the trac-ker through the inediuin ot a sui-table pneumatic action N such` y tor instance as commonly employed in pneumatie planos. The auxiliary duct rsa1 ranged at the i' lai' end otl the series of stopcontrolling ducts tmb", so that as soon as aonc-duct perforation f: ot the. music sheet or the trout cnd ot an tion registers with said switch-pneumatic lvl is collapsed and the switch opened, the latter being' again closed hy a return spring' it as soon as said perforation passes the auxiliary duct.

do not wish to be limited to the pai'ticiif lar construction ot the relays, controllers, switches and other parts herein shown and described. as they may ohriousl)Y hemodi-l tied without dcpartinj r trounthe invention.

l claim as my invention: l. The combination ot' a tracker having a plurality ot ducts arranged in line transversely thereof, a series ot pneumatics'coi operating with the respective tracker-ducts,

elongated, perforaauxiliary duct thel actuated governed by said pneumatics, a

y source of energy, means controlled by the last of said series of pneumatics for bringing one or another of said controlling mechanisms under the influence of said source of energy, and a perforated sheet coperating with the tracker and having a plurality of perforations of different lengths adapted to uncover .a greater or less number of said ducts simultaneously.

2. The combination of a tracker having a plurality of ducts arranged in line transversely thereof, said several ducts having substantially the same extent transversely of the tracker, a series of pneumat-ics cooperating with the respective tracker ducts, controlling mechanisms for lthe vparts to be actuated governed by said pneumatics, a source of energy, means controlled by the last of said series of vpneumatics for bringing one or another of said controlling mechanisnis under the intiuence of said source of energy, and a perforated sheet coperating with the tracker and having a plurality of perforations of different lengths adapted to uncover a greater or less number of said ducts simultaneously.

3. The combination of a tracker-having a plurality of ducts arranged in line transversely thereof, one or more of said ducts adapted to be uncovered simultaneously by a music sheet having corresponding perforations of different lengths, a series of pneumatics coperating with the respective tracker-ducts, controlling mechanisms for -the parts to be actuated governed by said pneumatics, a source of energy, and means controlled by the last of said series of pneumatics -for bringing one or another of said controlling mechanisms under the iniiuence of said source of energy.

4. The combination of a tracker having a series of ducts arranged transversely thereof, a series of pneumato electric relays respectively connected with said ducts, a main circuit including an electric generator, the last relay of the series having a contact and a pneumatically-operated switch member cooperating therewith, the first relay and the intermediate relay or relays each having opposing contacts and an interposed pneumatically-operated switch-member coperating ltherewith, the contacts and switch members of successive relays being serially connected together, except the initial lcontact of. the lirstrelay and the final or switchlnember of the last rel ay,said last-named initial and final contact-elements being respectively connected with the poles of said generator, electric connections leading from one side of said generator to contacts of said relays, and electrmmagne'tic controlling mechanisms `arranged in said connections.

5. The combination of a tracker having a series of ducts arranged transversely thereof, a series of pneumato-electric relays respectively connected with said ducts, a main circuit including an electric generator, the last relay of the series having a contact and a pneumatically-operated switch member cooperating therewith, the first relay and the intermediate relay or relays each having opposing contacts and an interposed pneumatically operated switch-member coperating therewith, the contacts and switch members of successive relays being serially connected together, except the initial contact of the lirst relay and the final or switch member of the last relay, saidA last-named initial and final contact-elements being respectively connected with the poles ofA said generator, electric connections leading from one side of said generator to contacts of said relays, electro-magnetic controlling mechanisms arranged in said connections, and means for automatically breaking said main circuit immediately after the operation of one of said controlling devices.

6. The combination of a tracker having a plurality of ducts arranged in line transversely thereof, an electric circuit including a generator, a series of electro-pneumatics cooperating with the respective trackerducts, the last of the series of pneumatica including a contact and a coperating switch member connected with one pole of said gen'- erator, each of the remaining pneumatics having opposing upper and lower contacts and an interposed switch-member coperating therewith, the upper contact of the first pneumatic being connected by a lead with the other pole of the generator, an electromagnetic controlling device for a part tobe actuated arranged in said lead, and branches extending from said lead to the lower contacts of the respective electro-pneumatics and containing similar electro-magnetic controlling devices, the switch member of each pneumatic, except the last one, being connected with the upper contact of the next succeeding pneumatic.

y 7 The combination of a tracker having a plurality of ducts arranged in line transversely thereof, an electric circuit' including a generator, a series of electro-pneumatics cooperating with the respective trackerducts, the last of the series of pneumatics including a contact and a coperating switch member connected with one pole of saidgenerator, each of the remaining pneumatics having opposing upper and lower contacts and an interposed switch-member coperating therewith, said switch members contacting normally with the corresponding lower contacts, the upper contact'cf the first pneumatic being connected by a lcad'with the other pole of the generator, an `electro-magnetic controlling device for a part to be actuated arranged in said lead, and branches eX- ytending from said lead to the lower contacts ot the respective electro-pneun'iaties and containing snn1lar electro-magnetic controlling devices, the switch member ot' each pneumatic, except the last one', being connected with the upper contact ot the next succeeding pneumatic.

8. The combination ot a tracker having a plurality ot ducts arranged in .line transversely thereof, an elt-xctric circuit including ay generator, a series ot electro-pneumatios cooperating with the respective trackerducts, the last ot the series of pneumatics pneumatics and containing similar electromagnetic controlling devices, the switch member of each pneumatic, except the last one, being connected with the upper contact of the next succeeding pneumatic, and means for automatically breaking said circuit im ,mediately after the operation of one et said controlling devices.

rot/0,471

f 9. The combination et tracker having a plurality ot' perlforrtions arranged in line transversely thereof, a .main electric circuit, a series of electropneumatica connected with the respective tracker ducts, electro-magnetic controlling devices controlled by said pneumatics, a normally-closed switch in said circuit, a supplemental circuit containing a magnet arranged to open said switch, and means governed by said controlling devices tor closing said supplemental circuit.

10. The combination of a tracker having a plurality ot pert'orations arranged in line transversely thereof,a main electric circuit., a series of electro-pneumatics cooperating with the respective tracker ducts, electropneumatic controlling devices controlled by said pneumatics, a normally-closed switch in said circuit, a supplemental circuit containing a magnet. arranged. to opensaid switch, said supplemental circuit having a pair ot contact-terminals yassociated with eachl of said controlling devices, switchn members cooperating "with said terminals, and sWiteh-pneumatics connected with the lrespective, controlling devices and actuat ing said switch members.

bei', 1911. ROJBERT HOPE-JONES.

lvVitnesses:

R.' B. lllUnrirY, `W. 1?... SUTTON.

fitness my hand this 5th day ot Septem- 

